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Crain fine after line-drive scare in Minors game

White Sox reliever Jesse Crain talks about coming back from a strained right adductor muscle and the makeup of the bullpen

By Scott Merkin
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MLB.com |

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jesse Crain returned to the mound in a Minor League game Friday afternoon, testing his strained right adductor, but didn't escape completely unscathed from his one inning.

According to White Sox manager Robin Ventura, Crain was hit by the first batter faced with a line drive in the right hip. He still finished the frame without issue.

"It's one thing after another," said Ventura with a laugh, as the White Sox confirmed Crain was fine. "Hopefully he gets home safely."

Crain has made one Cactus League appearance, on Feb. 25, because of the adductor injury. But that lack of work doesn't have White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper worried about the veteran right-hander's regular-season preparedness.

"I know we have enough time to get a reliever ready," Cooper said. "Jesse is going to take the ball 60 to 70 times. I didn't need 20 down here in the first place. It certainly would be nice to get him out here and get him going."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.